Do you love the idea of painting your nails but don't have a clue where to start? Or do you simply want to expand your knowledge on this vast subject? This guide gives you the A-Z of nail perfection - all in simple, easy to understand terms.

Pre-Polish Nail Care

Before you paint your nails, you need to give them some tender loving care. Start by filing them into either a square or rounded shape. When filing be extra careful not to cause more rugged edges by making sure to file in one direction - forward then backwards. If you go backwards then forwards, it will hurt and ruin your nails.

Next, clean the part of your nail that gets dirt inside - just behind the nail. You can use a small cotton bud or a special plastic tool created especially for the job. After you have done this, you are ready for the all important step - preparing your nail polisha rea.

Preparing the Polish Area

Painting your nails can be a messy job; especially if you are not very experienced with nail art! Prepare the area by finding a suitable flat surface such as a table or a hard floor.

Don't start your work space in a slippy or very precious area such as the new bedroom carpet or on the back of your iPad! You could risk spilling the polish and ruining all of your stuff. Then, grab an old pillowcase, sheet, or some protective cover that you don't mind getting a little dirty. A plastic bin liner is good, but can be slippy depending on the brand that you've got.

Next, you need your all important nail polishes! Get them and place them in one part of your work area. Try to keep them all in a space that you won't knock over - so don't put them in the edge of the work surface no matter how convenient it may be!

When you have done that, if you do have them, get your nail art tools and put them in a space together. If it helps, put them next to the nail varnish you wish to use them. Also, grab some cotton swabs and some cotton buds if you get your nail varnish on your skin so you can easily wipe it off.

Finally, get any other things you need such as glitter, gems or nail foils and try to keep them in their packets to prevent mess. You could also invest in a paint palette to mix colours in - but that is up to you.

Painting on that Polish

When you have finally done all of the above steps, it is time! To begin, you could use those finger separators (they are like foam and they fit between your fingers so they are easier to paint so you can get to all angles of the nail efficiently and with ease).

Before you paint on your nail varnish, start by applying a clear coat to protect your nails from staining from the colour of the varnish. Wait for the clear coat to dry.

Get your first nail varnish are begin painting with your dominant hand on your other hand. If you are right handed, begin painting your left hand. If you are left handed, begin by painting your right hand. You should paint your nail in three quick strokes. One on one side, one in the middle and one on the other side. It may be hard at first. If you get any nail varnish in your skin, wait for it to dry as if you begin to mess with it, you may remove the nail varnish from the nail!

The master of painting your dominant hand with your non dominant hand requires practise! It may result in nail polish going everywhere except the nail and endless cleaning up procedures, but in the end you'll get there!

If you are applying crackle nail varnish, apply to the first coat when the nail varnish is still a little sticky. The thinner the crackle, the more finer cracks. The thicker the crackle, you will get big cracks with less colour underneath.

When the nail varnish is sticky, this is the perfect time to apply your glitter or any other things you may wish to add.

When the nail varnish has dried, apply a clear coat to protect them from chipping.

You can speed up the drying time by using a hair dryer on at a cool setting, on the nails. If you use the hair dryer in the hot setting, it will keep the nail varnish warm and it will remain gloopy and thick.

Every so often I will try and post some seasonal or just plain awesome nail tutorials and tips! I hope you enjoyed this guide, if you have any questions or suggestions, feel free to post or VM me! :3